The significance of this waning cycle is a strange mix of beginnings and returns. It may feel as though you are making a fresh start on some level, while multiple experiences make you feel otherwise. The pull, the desire for something new will be strong, yet with four of the nine planets retrograde (six counting the nodes), returns and retracing your steps will be forced and obligatory. You say you want something new, a fresh start, and yet there's a part of you saying it's not possible. Your job is to find all those places within you that are resisting and refusing your inner growth, the change process. This will be evident and necessary on all four levels of your being- Physical, Mental, Emotional and Spiritual. Your bodies will bring the messages, so listen carefully to the challenges, reminders and desires returning.

Venus in Aries

On April 24th at 23:02, Venus moves from its harmonious sign of exaltation, where it received no gaze from the other planets, and crosses the tricky gandanta (gap) into the first sign of the zodiac, Aries. This is a challenging gap because of the endings and beginnings that it provokes, while also being the change between a water sign and fire sign. Inner polarities may intensify as a result. What are you identifying within your relationships, finances, comfort and creativity?

Aries feels like an enemy to Venus because its watery wisdom does not care for the fiery, one-pointed nature of Aries, Sun's most potent sign. Sun and Venus are not fond of each other for the same reasons and water and fire don't mix. As these opposing forces conjunct with Mercury, changes take place within all four bodies- Physical, Spiritual, Mind and Emotions. Allow release and letting go to take place, in order for the new to arrive with more clarity. Notice which house Aries is in your jyotish chart. This will express where these challenges will effect you personally.

This cycle brings a dramatic glimpse at parts of yourself that are in need of healing. Look at your bad habits directly as the light will be shining on them in order for you to truly see what needs to change. Your mental body will be a potent resource for this change process, so dig deeply to uncover all the places within your mind that are keeping you in the dark. Allow mental doors to open, to unveil the shadows that are holding you hostage. As you bring these parts of your unconscious territory to the surface, you can then find resources to further support your awakening.

There will be a strong tug of war between polarities and opposition. Anger will be a default emotion in the coming weeks so start getting more intimate with its messages. Much of the agitation will be a result of frustrations, delays, set backs. The emotional body will be feeling pierced, subjected to pain and challenges, hurt and struggle. You are being handed an opportunity to face your pain more directly so that you can release it and transform it. But first, the battle begins. How do you fight with yourself? How long will you choose to stay in battle before dropping your arms? When will you start listening to what this battle is telling you, what it needs from you?

As Venus continues through Aries, each of us will be given an opportunity to deepen the relationship with Self, with the inner realms. The starting point will be discomfort and challenge, but the end point is potentially a grande release, providing you with more space for creating what you truly desire in your life. It is a challenge worth taking on. But one that requires you begin a new path, take new footsteps and gather new guidance and support. Trying to get new results, by doing what you've been doing is a recipe for lack of progress and more intensified struggle. Do something different. It's time for change.

Mercury Retrograde

Just as Mercury moves to the edge of Aries, it begins to retrace its steps. Mercury has been transiting this fiery and aggressive sign since April 2nd. This mental body cycle has provoked the mind to feel fragile and agitated at times. A release process is being instigated. Notice where necessary clean-up and final release must take place. Honor this process of endings and beginnings.

As Mercury transits its enemy's sign, the mind plunges into acute awareness, confronting and identifying with diligence. Do you notice or do you push past the messages? The mind requires your witnessing in this cycle- in order to work more consciously with mental body. Fiercely sift through the stories in the conscious mind. Bravely use this information to navigate and pull up old stories from the subconscious and unconscious parts of your being. This takes vigilance and dedication, yet is the only way to re-write old patterns and behaviors.

There will be a sense of renewal and a new commitment to growth and life force in this cycle. Do you capitalize on this, or let it only be a subtle reminder of your greatness? Step into your power with new conviction, new authority. Clear away the challenges and obstacles and activate a more powerful way of being. Do this by working directly with what you encounter along the path. A strong desire to be more powerful and awake arrives with this cycle. Suddenly bigger, better, bolder actually feels possible, attainable. But the shadow lurks as a saboteur. With retrograde Jupiter and Rahu giving their gaze to Mercury, the expansion is possible, but not without attending to the limitations of the shadowed mind. Do you move towards this desire or let the old stories keep you in lack and limitation? Your mind determines your actions, so work with this old programming consciously to create new pathways and possibilities for yourself.

Reprogramming the mind is a valuable use of your time and effort right now. As you move into expansion, notice where the blocks and obstacles come up. This is your limiting belief system at work. Be strategic with your growth process. Use a combination of resources that work with all four pathways of healing for best effects. EFT (emotional freedom technique), mental body therapies, meditation, art therapy, movement therapies, energy work, etc.

Once Mercury retrogrades on April 28th, the mental body clean up will intensify. Retrograde planets act like the nodes Rahu and Ketu, which invites in more karmic experiences, more intensity. From April 28th to May 9th there will be four planets in retrograde motion- six counting the always retrograde karmic planets, Rahu and Ketu. Many returns will take place simultaneously- physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. This is a strong and powerful clean-up phase. Don't take it lightly. Use this period of time to diligently work through old stories, haunts and shadow parts that you notice re-emerging. You are getting an opportunity to hit rewind- a rare and beautiful gift as a human being. This time, reach out for different resources, something new. Find new support, guidance and wisdom to support your change process.

New Moon in Aries and Bharani Nakshatra May 6th, sparks the beginning of the beginning. Renewal and openings roar in with a loud awakening.

*Horoscopes are based on your Vedic (sidereal) rising sign. You can also check your Moon and Sun signs for further insight. Do the same with your Navamsa signs for further clarity. Do not use these horoscopes with your Western sign (Tropical) as there is likely no correlation. These horoscopes are meant to be used as a broad overview of the current transits and obviously do not address the specifics of an individual’s unique chart.

Aries: Your power is captivating- even to you! You are in an attractive cycle, work it like bees to honey. There are parts of you saying no to the pleasure, ease and increases. It's vital that you look at these limiting beliefs within, in order to maximize the potency of this time. The places where you are resisting your strength and pleasure, are ultimately effecting your relationship with your inner power. Where there is pain, there is also joy. Where there is joy, there is also pain. Notice how your relationships can also mirror very acutely this story about receiving. Where are you saying no to receiving more abundance in your life? Start here.

Taurus: Your inner Sun is being asked to bow down and renounce its thrown. As challenging as this may feel, there is great opportunity in the discomfort. Your ego is getting an overhaul in the process and a certain liberation is taking place. Surrender to the moments of release and letting go. Your spikes and edges are being worn down in order for your heart to expand more deeply. Clear the shadows out of your heart space by looking intimately at your relationships. You are saying yes and no simultaneously. You are creating the challenges, conflicts and obstacles. Harmonize these polarities in order to find clarity about what you need, about what works for you and your life. If you're addicted to the pain, seek to find resolution with this. Ask for more support.

Gemini: Bad habits are your starting point. Where do you continue to struggle, stay in the dark and use shadow as your vice? Part of you wears your suffering as a badge, the other part of you says it wants liberation, freedom, release. There can be no ease without harmony. Identify all the parts of you saying no to softness, ease and comfort. All the places that refuse to let you have peace. Gains come when you find the places within you that are still resisting. Inner conflicts are keeping you from attaining inner harmony. They are zapping you of power, strength and clarity. It doesn't have to be so hard. There is a simpler way. Find the way of least resistance.

Cancer: There is a certain strength, power and brilliance showing up in your work right now. Get seen, noticed and allow people hear your message. Parts of you are saying yes to more power and pleasure, more nourishment and money in life. But fears and doubts are plaguing you, pushing you towards the no and the lack instead. It is an old fear- rooted in uncertainty and instability. Fear of the unknown. It effects your ability to say yes to your life, to your self and to your dreams and desires. It's time to look at this fear straight on. You want the expansion and growth in your life, but you won't be able to find it without being honest about your resistance to it. It's time to find harmony between the yes and the no.

Leo: Polarities are working their magic on you as challenges give rise to clarity within. When you can address the conflicts within you directly, deep inner change can begin. These polarities effect your sense of strength and power, your heart wisdom and ability to give and receive love. Conflicts with your dharmic path vs. career path will begin to intensify in the coming weeks. Part of you is saying yes, while the rest of you is saying no. Find all of the yes's and all of the no's. Notice where these inner conflicts are keeping you stuck, resistant, avoidant and not in your dynamic, Leo power place. Letting go is essential for your growth. Where you are gripping too tightly? Allow harmony to support your release process.

Virgo: Continue to shine the light on your inner darkness. Keep finding all those places where you are suppressing your strength, power and greatness. This requires consistent, courageous steps and a willingness to stay true to your course of action. Digging deeply will help you discover the places within you that stay in lack, debt, pain and struggle. Part of you doesn't believe there is another way- or that you deserve it. Part of you is more than ready to say yes. Your courage to uncover your darkness and bring in the light, will take you far. Gather new wisdom and support for your liberation process. You'll get radically different results during this transformational time.

Libra: Relationships are a powerful mirror for you right now. They are showing you challenges and difficulties, places that make you feel uncomfortable in your power and strength. Are you in right-relationship with your power? Does it feel harmonious and peaceful when you use it? Or do you use anger as your method of power? You are stuck in a paradigm of wanting more nourishment, while also saying no to it. This confusion is creating inner conflicts with yourself and others. Harmonizing your extremes is the only way to create more clarity about what you really need. Nature can't provide for you until you know for certain what you need. This inner knowing arrives when inner battles find resolution. Quit fighting. Seek balance.

Scorpio: Deep healing can take place if you allow yourself to re-trace some old, familiar steps. Cover the territory of your heart with new creativity, new courage. Step into your warrior spirit and honor your inner strength. There are parts of you that still don't trust or accept your inner power. These are the pieces that must be integrated and harmonized so the you can step into your power more fully, in a more awake way. Channel this power effectively and turn it into an offering for others. Let your power be known, let it be seen and heard. Why are you still hiding? Where are you still shrouded by your past?

Sagittarius: You are working intimately with power and strength right now. Learning how to step into empowerment more clearly, while figuring out how to use this power to move you forward. Your gut intelligence is a vital part of this process. Listen carefully to the messages arriving within. Intuition is your ultimate power; unwavering inner knowing. This inner awareness will help you clarify your dharmic path and purpose. Seek to harmonize the parts of you that say yes to a more fruitful and passionate life and integrate them with the places you are still saying no through resistance, avoidance and self sabotage. Liberation is possible right now, but only with greater awareness about what you're actually letting go.

Capricorn: Your heart is teaming with power and potential. Passion and inner fires are being stoked. Reside and linger in this place of warmth and strength. Your power comes from within. Can you find its source? Beyond the conflicts and struggles, the pain and the torment, is a place of stability, grounding and unwavering earth energy. Deepen your relationship with this inner grounding force. What are the resources that help you connect with this place of resolution? Beyond the battle ground of right and wrong, is this place of deep inner knowing and certainty. This is where all your strength lies and where gains are acquired. Keep leaning in and saying yes to this certainty. You actually do know.

Aquarius: Your awakening continues to take shape from head to toe. Creative courage is taking place, but requires your diligent action steps and some re-programming on your part. Start with your mind and re-pattern from inside to outside. This will pave the way for new possibilities and greater potential in your life. Relationships will still be supporting your change process- if you use them for teaching you about yourself. There are struggles and gains with "the other", but if you can use both as a resource for inner growth, it's only going to be a win. Career steps may be frustrating. Harmonize action steps with attentive pauses. You'll get a lot more done.

Pisces: Nourishment continues to play a key role in your path right now. With Venus newly in your 2nd house, conjunct exalted Sun and Mercury, watch for resistance, struggle and conflict with your needs. Part of you desires more, but part of you is saying no simultaneously. Find those places within that are refusing to accept more life force, more nourishment, money, love and comfort. This is a great source of healing for you. Clean up these conflicts, and you'll be cleaning up some very old habits that keep you from stepping into your power more fully. Freeing up more power and clarity will do wonders for your dharmic path.